Major requirements: PS 100, PS 315, PS 324, HS 412, EC 450, PS
485, EC 206, BA 302 or SC 316, PL 300, Option A or B: Option A:
PS 200, PS 215, PS 349/449 (1 course) or approved substitute, EC
216, GE 250, HS 349/449 or HS substitute (approved by PS
faculty). Two (2) of the following PS courses: PS 250, PS 300, PS
323, PS 350, PS 401. Option B: PS 150, PS 230, BA 212, AC 210,
AC 220, CS 110, HS 104, HS 105. (Total 49 hours)
Major assessment: Political Science/Public Administration
majors must complete a thesis, PS 485 (Senior Thesis). Seniors
are also required to take the Educational Testing Services
Political Science exam.
PS 100. Foundations of Federal Government - 3 hours. The
federal system, constitution, executive, legislative, judicial and
administrative organization. This course is designed to satisfy Missouri
State Law requirement, RSMO, Section 170.011 regarding instruction
and testing of the Constitutions of the United States and the State of
Missouri. Fall. Spring.
PS 150. Introduction to Public Administration - 3 hours. Origin,
people and structure and process of public governmental agencies in
the United States. Explanation of the nature of bureaucratic power and
the attendant examination of the political aspect of public
administration. Definition and interpretation of the roles of the public
administration. Fall even years.
PS 200. Introduction to Political Science - 3 hours. This course
examines social scientific inquiry and summarizes political theories and
philosophies from which present-day political ideologies, institutions,
and systems have evolved. Examination of the formal and informal
ways citizens participate in the political process. Review of the
institutional structures of governments and the resultant public policies
and political economies. Discussion of the operations of politics
between nations and the character of politics in the developing nations.
Spring.
PS 215. International and Current Problems - 3 hours. Study of
current issues in international politics from both the historical and
analytical points of view. Examination of relevant conceptional
schemes and frameworks in international politics and discussion of the
nature of political choices and decisions and their impact in the
international system. This course will count as a sociology major
elective. Spring.
PS 230. State and Local Government - 3 hours. Organization and
administration of state and local government in the U.S. Growth of
centralized power and its effect on local control. Prerequisite: PS 100.
Fall.
PS 250. Issues and Cases in Bureaucratic Politics - 3 hours. This
course deals with dimensions of public organization and
administration: the effects of social change on bureaucracy, the
political environment as it affects administration, and policy and
problems connected with science and planning as they in turn affect
social and political life. Fall odd years.
PS 300. Contemporary Social and Political Theory - 3 hours. This
course covers contemporary social and political thought and examines
social and political ideas in the context of the historical situations in
which issues and problems arise. Discussion includes clarification and
justification of man's social and political beliefs, such as individual
rights, freedom, equality, liberty, justice, natural rights, etc. Fall odd
years.
PS 323. American Political Parties - 3 hours. Development of the
two-party system, minor parties, party organization, the electoral
process and party influence on public policy. Prerequisite: PS 100.
Fall odd years.
PS 324. Comparative Government - 3 hours. Evolution, structure
and functions of leading governmental systems; study of the different
politics, policies and problems of democratic, Communist, and post-
Communist and developing nations. Analysis of recent changes in the
European Community, Central, and Eastern Europe. Prerequisite: PS
100. Fall even years.
PS 149/249/349/449. Topics in Political Science - 1-3 hours.
Reading, research, field study and writing on special problems.
PS 350. Politics in the Third World - 3 hours. An examination of
the structure and process of Third World politics and governments with
emphasis on the international political economy. Themes include the
nature of capitalist and socialist perspectives of development and
underdevelopment. This course will count as a sociology major
elective. Spring odd years.
PS 401. Internship in Political Science/Public Administration - 1-9
hours. Internship under supervision of College personnel and
cooperating facility. Prerequisite: Permission of division dean and
Vice President of Academic Affairs. Arranged.
PS 420. Political Sociology - 3 hours. Contributions of modern
political sociology in the analysis of the American sociopolitical system
in the context of the prominent theoretical models in the area. This
course will count as a sociology major elective. Prerequisite: PS 100.
On cycle.
PS 376/476. Independent Study - 1-3 hours. Reading or research
at a greater depth than in a normal class. Permission of the instructor,
division dean Vice President of Academic Affairs.
PS 485. Senior Thesis - 1 hour. This course requires completion of
a directed research paper. Required course for graduating senior
political science/public administration majors. Prerequisites: PS 315,
senior standing, major. Graded pass/fail. Arranged.